MBOMBELA – A young employee of the world-renowned Londolozi Private Game Reserve didn’t make it too far with his loot after he allegedly stole millions from the reserve on Saturday. The dramatic events started during the evening when
Mr Wade Morgan Williams (30) allegedly first kidnapped his employer in order to gain access to the reserve’s money.
According to Col Leonard Hlathi, provincial spokesman for the SAPS, the suspect worked in the financial department of the reserve, situated on the western border of the Kruger National Park.
Williams apparently threatened his employer while they were in the office and demanded that he disclosed the PIN to his online bank account. When he refused, Williams apparently tied him up and took him to a nearby bush where he was again threatened at gunpoint.
“He eventually gave in out of fear for his life and provided his PIN number,” Hlathi said. Williams lef the man in the bush who fortunately did not sustain any injuries. He then transferred nearly R5 million into his own bank account and stole over R200 000 in cash.
He then fled with the employer’s Land Rover Discovery 4. Meanwhile his employer was found by game rangers early Sunday morning. They immediately informed the police who tracked Williams down near the Volvo dealership in Riverside Industrial. He was arrested on the scene on charges of pointing of a firearm, theft and kidnapping. He will appear in Nelspruit Magistrate’s court today.
Various stolen goods and a large amount of cash was found in the vehicle. The police has confirmed that Williams confessed on the scene that he had stolen millions from his employer.
According to an eyewitness on the scene, Williams was visibly distraught and not capable of driving. His employer flew in by chopper to collect his vehicle on Sunday. All attempts to get comment from Londolozi Game Reserve were fruitless.
